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Home My WebLink About03-01-17 PRC Minutes Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 1 March 2017 Regular Meeting of the Advisory Body Committee Commission CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order on the 1st day of March 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Whitener. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Greg Avakian, Susan Olson, Keri Schwab, Douglas Single, Rodney Thurman, Vice Chair Susan Updegrove and Chair Jeff Whitener Absent: Commissioner Olson, Commissioner Schwab Staff: Parks and Recreation Director Shelly Stanwyck, Recreation Supervisor Facilities Devin Hyfield, City Attorney Jon Ansolabehere PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA David Brodie, SLO resident, spoke about climate change and the role that the Commission has in identifying the types of vegetation in San Luis Obispo. Lydia Mourenza, SLO resident, spoke about the Brown Act and the Commissions’ discussion at its February 1, 2017 meeting regarding support of the Parks and Recreation Element u pdate (March 1, 2017 agenda item 3). CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES ACTION: APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 1, 2017 AS AMENDED, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SINGLE, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR UPDEGROVE. 1. Consideration of Minutes CARRIED 5:0:0:2 to approve the amended minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Body for the meeting of 2/1/2017. AYES: AVAKIAN, SINGLE, THURMAN, UPDEGROVE, WHITENER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: OLSON, SCHWAB PUBLIC HEARINGS AND BUSINESS ITEMS Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of March 1, 2017 Page 2 2. Presentation of Mitchell Park Beautification Neighborhood Grant Proponents for the Mitchell Park Beautification project, Ann Robinson and Trude Lindaind, presented to the Commission a proposal of how the Neighborhood Grant funds would be used to revitalize the landscaping of Mitchell Park (around the Senior Center and the Gazebo) with drought tolerant and low maintenance plantings. They estimate that 500 hours will be donated by the neighborhood volunteers of Mitchell Park. Park Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Hendricks spoke that the plantings proposed by this neighborhood grant will be an asset to the park. The project will commence in April 2017 with an estimated completion date of the end of June 2017. Public Comment None ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE PRESENTATION OF MITCHELL PARK BEAUTIFICATION NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT. 3. Consideration of a Letter to City Council regarding Funding for an Update of the Parks and Recreation Element Director Shelly Stanwyck explained that the purpose of agenda item 3 is to provide an open public meeting, to have an opportunity to review Chair Whitener’s proposed letter of support for updating the Parks and Recreation Element, and provided feedback for modifications of the proposed letter to City Council to this topic. Chair Whitener explained the purview of the Parks and Recreation Commission and the role that it plays in recommendations to the City Council. Public Comment Lydia Mourenza, SLO resident, discussed the need for a park in the north Broad Street area. Cheryl McLean, SLO resident, was against using the funding set aside for a park in the North Broad Street area to fund an update to the Parks and Recreation Element. Heather Billing, SLO resident, supported alternative fund raising in support of parks. Dan Matthews, James Lopes and Kit Gould expressed the need for a park in this neighborhood which is currently underserved. They urged the Commission to support the funding already allocated to a park in this area and make land acquisition in this neighborhood a high priority for the 2017-19 Financial Plan. David Brodie, SLO resident, expressed concern about new development without the necessary infrastructure in place. He asked the Commission to make additional recommendations to the City Council to support this infrastructure. Michael Parolini, SLO resident, spoke about the history of Parks and Recreation Element and the need to update this plan to be in alignment with changes in the community. Steve Davis, SLO resident, spoke in favor of updating the Parks and Recreation Element if funding is available. Mila Vojuvich LeBarre, SLO resident, expressed an unmet park need of the North Broad Street area and the impacts of future building and traffic congestion. She urged the Commission to not Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of March 1, 2017 Page 3 use the funding set aside for land acquisition in this area for the update of the Parks and Recreation Element. Commission Comments followed. Commissioner Thurman and Commissioner Avakian spoke in favor of updating the Parks and Recreation Element as stated in the draft letter. Commissioner Single spoke in favor of updating the Parks and Recreation Element. He was not in support of using a portion of the funding set aside for the North Broad Street area for the plan update. Vice Chair Updegrove spoke is in favor of updating the Parks and Recreation Element as stated in the letter. She added her support for use of Parkland funds for this purpose. Director Stanwyck discussed the procedure as how the City allocates funding for projects. She discussed the Commission’s goals, the Public Study Session and the Council Goal Setting process. She reiterated that the City Council did not identify an update to the Parks and Recreation Element as a Major City goal for the 2017-19 Financial Plan and therefore no funding has been allocated for this purpose. She added that the Commission’s letter of support would provide some guidance for Council when considering the 2017-19 Financial Plan. Chair Whitener specified that it is not a guarantee that Parkland funds would be allocated for a new park. Chair Whitener spoke in favor of using the Parkland funds for an update to the Parks and Recreation Element and urged community members to work together to prioritize needs. The Parks and Recreation Commission offered modifications to the draft letter of support. ACTION: APPROVE THE LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL REGARDING FUNDING FOR AN UPDATE OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ELEMENT, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER THURMAN, SECOND BY VICE CHAIR UPDEGROVE. Chair Whitener requested 5-minute recess from 7:00 to 7:05 PM Commissioner Avakian requested additional modifications to the letter of support. Commissioner Thurman and Vice Chair Updegrove rescinded their motion. ACTION: APPROVE THE LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL REGARDING FUNDING FOR AN UPDATE OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ELEMENT AS AMENDED, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SINGLE, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER AVAKIAN. CARRIED 5:0:0:2 to approve the amended letter to City Council in support of updating the Parks and Recreation Element. AYES: AVAKIAN, SINGLE, THURMAN, UPDEGROVE, WHITENER NOES: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: OLSON, SCHWAB 4. Consideration and Recommendation to Council Regarding Fees Director Stanwyck proposed deferring Agenda Item 4 to the next Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of April 5, 2017. Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of March 1, 2017 Page 4 ACTION: AGENDA ITEM 4 MOVED TO APRIL 5, 2017 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING. COMMITTEE COMMUNICATIONS 5. Director’s Report Director Stanwyck provided a brief update of current Parks and Recreation programming and City updates.  Six Parks and Recreation staff and Commissioner Schwab (on behalf of Cal Poly) are attending the annual California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) Conference in Sacramento.  Leprechaun Lost is a new event in partnership with the Downtown Association on March 16th Farmer’s Market  The majority of parks facilities have been closed due to the rain  Sinsheimer park playground construction will continue once the weather clears up  Rangers are continuing trail work on Cerro San Luis “M” trail extension LIAISON REPORTS 6. Subcommittee Liaison Reports  Adult and Senior Programming: Commissioner Single said there was no report. He congratulated Vice Chair Updegrove for her work on the Jack House Committee and the Parks and Recreation Commission.  Bicycle Advisory Committee: Commissioner Olson was absent. No report.  City Facilities (Damon Garcia, Golf, Pool & Joint Use Facilities): Commissioner Avakian reported on the field and golf course closures due to rain. The SLO Swim Center continues to have heating issues in the locker rooms. Adult softball is scheduled to begin the second week of March.  Tree Committee: Commissioner Thurman said there are applications for tree removal with some removals approved with replacements. No update on forming a tree commission.  Jack House Committee: Vice Chair Updegrove updated on the Jack House fees and working to become a blue star museum (Veteran’s access for free).  Youth Sports: Commissioner Schwab was absent. No report. Commission Communications Chair Whitener thanked Vice Chair Updegrove for her service on the Parks and Recreation Commission. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:29 p.m. to the regular Parks and Recreation Commission scheduled for 05, April 2017 at 5:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California. APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: 04/5/2017 Minutes – Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of March 1, 2017 Page 5